Snap or clasp



June 10, 1930. R. l Q. o. NINNERMUN Y 1,762,882

SNAP OR CLASP Filed Dec. 21, 1929 Ric/lardfi'. 0.1/15 7171 arm a 7iPatented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE smite on CLASPApplication filed December 21, 1929. Serial No. 415,755.

This invention comprehends certain new and useful improvements infastening devices, and relates particularly to a watch chain snapdesigned for use in connecting a watch chain or the like to a watch,although it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothis use as the invention is manifestly applicable to other uses.

The invention has for its primary object a practical, durable andefficient construction of device of this character which will be asdevoid of resilience or spring action as it is possible to make a deviceof this kind, and which will be so formed and the parts so arranged thatthe harder a pull is exerted on the snap or clasp the more firmly willit tend to remain in closed position preclude any possibility ofprematurely or accident-1y opening.

And the invention also aims to generally improve devices of this classso as to render them more useful and commercially desirable.

With these and other objects in view as will more fully appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions,arrangements and combinations of. the parts that I shall hereinaftermore fully describe and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is aside elevation of my device showing it in applied position;

Figure 2 is an edge view thereof; and

Figure 3 is a side elevation partially in section, the members of thesnap or clasp be- I ing shown in their open position relative to eachother.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and accompanying drawing by like reference characters.

My improved snap fastener or clasp comprises two complemental memberspivotally connected together, one of said members, designated 1, beingformed at one end with an eye 2 whereby it may be conveniently attachedto a watch chain 3, or other article,

said member 1 being formed intermediate of its ends with laterallyprojecting and transversely spaced apertured ears 4 to receive a pintle5 on which the coiled end 6 of the other member 7 is mounted to securethe pivotal movement. The member 7 is substantially of open loop shapeto receive and hold the suspension ring 8 of a watch 9, although it isto'be understood that the invention is not limited in this regard, butis applicable for securing purposes generally.

The member 1 is formed at its end opposite the eye 2 with a laterallyprojecting beveled shoulder 10 and the member 7 is formed at itsadjoining and relatively free end With a similar shoulder 11.

The parts are so proportioned that in the movement of one member towardsthe other y to effect the closing of the snap, one of the shoulders-willmeet the other'one and intersect its plane of movement so that it willrequire some little force to effect the passageof one shoulder behindthe other, it being understood that the parts will yield sufficientlyfor this passage, but at the same time, are not what might be termedresilient members at all, as it is one of the objects of this inventionto construct a clasp 01' snap which will be almost devoid of springaction.- Manifestly after one shoulder is snapped past the other the twostraight or abrupt faces of the shoulder will interlock and it isobvious that any straightaway pull between the eye 2 and bend of themember 7 will not effect a disengagement of the shoulders 10 and 11, sothat all liability of an accidental opening will be precluded.

Vhile the accompanying drawing illustrates what I believe to be thepreferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited thereto, but that various changes may be madein the construction, arrangements and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as claimed.

'VVhat is claimed, is

1. As a new article of manufacture, a clasp comprising complementalmembers, one of which is formed intermediate of its ends with a lateralbifurcated projection to which the other member is pivotally connectedat one end, means for pivotally connecting said secondmember to saidfirst member, said members being each formed at their adjoining endswith laterally projecting shoulders whose paths intersect in themovement of one member relative to the other whereby one shoulder may beforced past and into locking engagement with the other shoulder .to holdthe clasp in closed position.

2. As a new article of manufacture, the

herein-described clasp comprising complemental members, one of which isformed at one end with an eye, and intermediate of its ends withlaterally projecting and transversely spaced ears, a pintle extendingthrough said ears, and the other member being coiled at one end aroundsaid pintle between said ears and being formed as an open loop, each ofsaid members being provided at one end with shoulders pointing towardseach other and the paths of said shoulders intersecting in the movementof one member relative to the other, each of said shoulders beingbeveled on one side and having a straight face on the other side, as andfor the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

RICHARD R. o. NINNERMUN.

